Key West's Best Key Lime Pies

03/13/2017 08:56 pm ET

Key West ... Key Lime Pie

When thinking of Key West, I cannot help but link the city with the tart treat. Throughout the town, stores boast the “original” and “best” key lime pies – but who are the real winners? During a recent trip, I decided to try every key lime delight I possibly could in the span of five days. The following are my top picks for where to eat the best key lime pies in Key West.

Nestled in a quaint courtyard with a homey, living room vibe, Blue Heaven serves up traditional Southern fare with a Caribbean twist. With a buttery crust and sweet, lightly citrus-flavored filling, Blue Heaven takes traditional key lime pie and tops it with three inches of melt-on-your-tongue meringue. For what the locals recommend as their favorite pie for visitors check out Blue Heaven. For the same pie and a view to kill, check out their sister restaurant …

Translating from Italian to “Cheers,” Saluté is the perfect spot to celebrate the sun and the sea. With pies sourced from Blue Heaven, Salute! sits on the beach with a lovely patio and lively staff. Enjoy that infamous meringue in an Oceanside setting a world away from the verdant trees of Blue Heaven.

If the sugary condensed milk rich and slightly tangy traditional key lime pies hyped on the street are wearing you down, a nontraditional treat awaits you at Off the Hook. Take the slightly thicker, almost cheesecake-like consistency of the key lime cream, whisk in delightful slivers of mango, and shave fresh mint into the mix – and you have something both unique and absolutely mouthwatering.

Mattheessen’s is a veritable heaven for any sweet tooth. Boasting fudge (peanut butter, chocolate, and rocky road to name a few), ice cream, carefully measured ½ pound cookies dripping with fudge, and macaroons with a dipped dark chocolate bottom, key lime pie forms just a fraction of Mattheessen’s offerings. But, their key lime pie is certainly something to write home about: dark chocolate covered key lime pie on a stick. The combination could make the most jaded Scrooge grin from ear-to-ear.

Although I am not admittedly a “donut person,” I visited Glazed Donuts almost every day of my Key West vacation. In a glass display case, you can find their available offerings of the day. A perennial favorite is their Key Lime Pie donut. Filled with tart key lime cream, wrapped in an airy donut, and dolloped with lightly toasted merengue and graham cracker crumbles - this donut takes the traditional key lime pie and transforms it into a breakfast lover’s dream.

Are you a dessert lover? Check out my article on the best churros in Barcelona here to find more sweet suggestions!